• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.349-355
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• 2009

Metabolic fingerprinting of microbial communities was investigated with Biolog GN2 plates using samples of biofilm and aeration tanks from an RABC (rotating activated Bacillus contactor) system - an advanced wastewater treatment system for the food wastewater of pig slaughterhouses. Aerobic and anaerobic results revealed the following four aspects. First, simple matching and pairs t-test of daily variation showed more defined qualitative and quantitative relatedness of active microbial communities than that of mere optical densities. Second, metabolic potentials were higher in biofilm than in aeration tanks (p<0.01), meaning higher activity of biofilm. Third, two aeration tanks showed the highest similarity (78%) and similar metabolic power (p=0.287). However, actively used carbon sources were different among samples, signifying change of active communities at each wastewater treatment step. Finally, aerobic and anaerobic metabolic fingerprinting patterns were different for the same samples representing activities of microaerophilic and/or anaerobic communities. These results suggest that daily variation and anaerobic incubation would help in the comparison of metabolic fingerprintings.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1747-1753
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• 2002

The objectives of this study were to examine the effect of early short-term temperature conditioning on metabolic rate and calpain/calpastatin system and to compare variations in metabolic rate and calpain/calpastatin system between Hanwoo and Holstein beef. Longissimus thoracis et lumborum of the right carcass from 3 Hanwoo and 3 Holstein bulls were removed within 30 min of exsanguinations, cut into three pieces, and then temperature conditioned until 3 h postmortem (PM) at 2, 16, and $30^{\circ}C$, respectively. Rigor values (R-values; $R_248$, $R_250$, and $R_258$), pH, muscle temperature, glycogen content, $\mu$- and m-calpain activities, and calpastatin acitivity were measured at 1, 3, 9, and 24 h PM, respectively. Hanwoo beef had higher muscle temperature, faster metabolic rate at early PM stage in R-values, and lower $\mu$-calpain activity than Holstein beef (p<0.05). The $30^{\circ}C$ treatment maintained muscle temperature of $30^{\circ}C$ until 3 h PM and resulted in faster pH decline at 3 and 9 h PM (p<0.05) than other treatments. The $16^{\circ}C$ had higher (p<0.05) muscle temperature at 3 h PM than the $2^{\circ}C$, but no difference in all other traits was observed between the $2^{\circ}C$ and the $16^{\circ}C$. Early shortterm temperature treatment used in this study was not sufficient to effectively activate calpain/calpastatin system. Correlations among all traits except m-calpain and muscle temperature were generally high (r>0.60; p<0.001). Among R-values, $R_258$ had higher correlations with other metabolic traits than those of $R_248$ and $R_250$. These data suggest that early PM metabolic rate, $\mu$-calpain activity, and calpastatin activity may be closely related to each other. Variations in metabolic rate and $\mu$-calpain activity at early PM stage between Hanwoo and Holstein beef may imply variations in meat quality between both breeds.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.319-326
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• 2018

Increasing evidence suggests that cancer stem cell (CSC) theory represents an important mechanism underlying the observed failure of existing therapeutic modalities to fully eradicate cancers. In addition to their more established role in maintaining minimal residual disease after treatment and forming the new bulk of the tumor, CSCs might also critically contribute to tumor recurrence and metastasis. For this reason, specific elimination of CSCs may thus represent one of the most important treatment strategies. Emerging evidence has shown that CSCs have a different metabolic phenotype to that of differentiated bulk tumor cells, and these specific metabolic activities directly participate in the process of CSC transformation or support the biological processes that enable tumor progression. Exploring the role of CSC metabolism and the mechanism of the metabolic plasticity of CSCs has become a major focus in current cancer research. The targeting of CSC metabolism may provide new effective therapies to reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis. In this review, we summarize the most significant discoveries regarding the metabolism of CSCs and highlight recent approaches in targeting CSC metabolism.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.129-139
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• 2024

Liver diseases are a significant global health burden and are among the most common diseases. Ginssennoside Rg3 (Rg3), which is one of the most abundant ginsenosides, has been found to have significant preventive and therapeutic effects against various types of diseases with minimal side effects. Numerous studies have demonstrated the significant preventive and therapeutic effects of Rg3 on various liver diseases such as viral hepatitis, acute liver injury, nonalcoholic liver diseases (NAFLD), liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The underlying molecular mechanism behind these effects is attributed to apoptosis, autophagy, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities, and the regulation of multiple signaling pathways. This review provides a comprehensive description of the potential molecular mechanisms of Rg3 in the development of liver diseases. The article focuses on the regulation of apoptosis, oxidative stress, autophagy, inflammation, and other related factors. Additionally, the review discusses combination therapy and liver targeting strategy, which can accelerate the translation of Rg3 from bench to bedside. Overall, this article serves as a valuable reference for researchers and clinicians alike.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.54-58
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• 2015

The protective effect of EtOAc fraction of Limonium tetragonum extract (EALT) against alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity was assessed following acute ethanol intoxication in Spraque-Dawley rats. EALT (200 mg/kg p.o.) was administrated once before alcohol intake (8 g/kg, p.o.). Blood ethanol concentration, and the activities of alcohol metabolic enzymes, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in the liver were measured. Also, the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), catalase were determined after acute alcohol exposure. Pretreatment of rats received ethanol with EALT significantly decreased blood ethanol concentration and elevated the activities of ADH and ALDH in liver. The increased MDA level was decreased, and the reduced activities of SOD, GSH-px and catalase were markedly preserved by the treatment with EALT. This study suggests that EALT prevent hepatic injury induced by acute alcohol which is likely related to its modulation on the alcohol metabolism and antioxidant enzymes activities.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.35-41
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• 2014

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods have been used extensively in clinical steroid analyses. Evaluating the metabolic ratios of precursors to products by accurate quantification of individual steroid levels in biological samples can reveal the activities of enzymes associated with steroid metabolism. This review article discusses the impact of GC-MS-based steroid profiling on our understanding of the biochemical role of steroids and their metabolic enzymes in hormone-dependent diseases, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), cortisol-mediated hypertension, apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME), male-pattern baldness, and breast and thyroid cancers. Steroid profiling is a comprehensive analytical technique that can be applied whenever the highest specificity is required and may be a reasonable initial diagnostic approach.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.197-203
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• 1988

The rates of photorespiration and total CO2 fixation depending on leaf ages of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) were investigated. Metabolic rates of glycolate and glyoxylate in isolated peroxisomes were also measured. The rate of photorespiration and total CO2 fixation ability increased with the maturing of leaf, but decreased with senescence. Activities of enzymes involved in the peroxisomal photorespiratory pathway such as catalase, glycolate oxidase, NADH-glyoxylate reductase and glutamate-glyoxylate transaminase were highest in the mature leaf, but also decreased with aging of leaf. Glutamate-glyxolate transaminase activity significantly decreased with senescence, especially. the metabolic rate of glycolate was observed to be lower than that of glyoxylate in isolated peroxisomes. Glycolate seemed to be metabolized mainly to glycine, however, it also oxidized to CO2 when glycolate was supplied as a substrate for glycine synthesis instead of glyoxylate. The conversion rates of glycolate and glyxylate into CO2 increased with the senescence of leaves.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.15-18
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• 1998

The entanol productivity of superoxide dismutase (SOD)-deficient mutants of Saccharo-Myces cerevisiae was examined under the oxidative stress by Paraquat. It was observed that MnSOD-deficient mutant of S. cerevisiae had higher ethanol productivity than wild type or CuZnSOD-deficient yeast both in aerobic and in anaerobic culture condition. Pyruvated dehydrogenase activity decreased by 35% and alcohol dehydrogenase activity increased by 32% were observed in MnSOD-deficient yeast grown aerobically. When generating oxygen radicals by Paraquat, the ehanol productivity was increased by 40% in CuZnSOD-deficient or wild strain, resulting from increased activity of alcohol dehydrogenase and decreased a activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase. However, the addition of ascorbic acid with Paraquat returned the enzyme activities at the level of control. These results imply that SOD-deficiency in yeast strains may cause the metabolic flux to shift into anaerobic ethanol fermentation in order to avoid their oxidative damages by Paraquat.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 1982

The metabolic enzymes, nitrate reductase, amylase and peroxidase and the Photorespiratory enzyme, Slycolate oxidise in Nicotiana tabacum varieties were studied at various growth stages. The enzyme activities of young leaves with rapid growth were different from those of old ones with stationary growth. In young leaves, activity of nitrate reductase was higher than that in mature ones and amylase activity was fairly constant in all stages. Activities of glycolate oxidise and peroxidase were found to be significantly lower in young leaves than in mature ones. Activity of glycolate oxidase in mature middle leaves was 2.45 times higher than that of young ones and inhibited by 36% when the enzyme was treated with 0.16 mM isonicotinic hydrazide.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.109-121
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• 2018

Objectives : This study aimed to identify the factors influencing insufficient physical activity in community-dwelling elderly individuals with dementia. Methods : Data were analyzed using a 2014 Survey of Living Conditions of Elderly Individuals. Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET) hours were calculated using self-reported weekly frequency, duration, and types of physical activities to measure the degree of physical activity. Results : Mean MET hours were $4.03{\pm}8.59$. Factors influencing insufficient physical activity included limitations in activities of daily living (ADL), lower frequency of social group participation and unsatisfactory relationships with friends or community. When demographic factors were adjusted, patients with ADL limitation had 11.2 times higher risks of insufficient physical activities than those without. Conclusions : Community-dwelling elderly with dementia performed low levels of physical activity. Further research is needed to develop strategies to encourage physical activity participation in this population.